SPRINGFIELD — A proposal aimed at keeping the Illinois Poison Center open despite the state's budget woes has passed a House committee.

The legislation that received committee approval on Tuesday would direct a portion of the fee charged by cellphone companies for 911 services to pay for poison control.

State Rep. Camille Lilly is sponsoring the House measure. The Democrat from Chicago says Illinois should not be the only state without a poison control center. She says the center takes about 80,000 calls each year.

But opponents say it takes money away from a fund originally created to expand 911 services. They say rural areas especially would be affected.